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Your responsibilities

We are looking for a PhD student to join a research environment focused on AI security, specifically the information-theoretic aspects of memory poisoning. The project, funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR), aims to develop a deeper understanding of how malicious information injected into an AI agent's memory can affect its reasoning and decision-making.

Modern AI systems are rapidly evolving from simple interactions in the form of chatbots to autonomous agents. These agents use external tools, retrieve information from databases and the internet, store memories across multiple interactions, and collaborate with users or other agents. This makes them powerful but also introduces new risks to security and privacy. For example, if an attacker can manipulate what an agent stores or retrieves information about, the agent may later make biased, uncertain, or strategically manipulated decisions.

How much manipulated information is required to influence an agent's behavior? What are the fundamental limitations in detecting poisoned memories? How can agents update, retrieve, and communicate memories securely under hostile conditions?

To create a fundamental understanding of memory poisoning, the project combines tools from information theory, statistical learning, communication theory, as well as AI-related privacy and security. The project is suitable for you if you are interested in developing theoretical foundations while validating ideas through selected proof-of-concept attacks, defenses, and experiments with LLM-based agents.

As a PhD student, you will focus on your doctoral education and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participating in other departmental duties, up to 20 percent of full-time employment.

Your qualifications

You have completed an advanced degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or applied mathematics with at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level within one of these fields. Alternatively, you have acquired equivalent knowledge in another way. The degree requirement must be met no later than at the time of the employment decision, which occurs when the employment contract is signed.

You should demonstrate strong mathematical maturity, good programming skills, and very good ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing. Furthermore, you should be able to work independently, be goal-oriented, express yourself clearly, and collaborate well with others.

Previous experience in AI security, privacy, or LLMs is meritorious but not a requirement. We particularly welcome applicants with a background in, for example, information theory, communication theory, signal processing, optimization and learning, applied probability and statistics, cybersecurity, and distributed systems.

Your workplace

You will be active at the Division of Communication Systems (KS) at the Department of Science and Technology (ISY), Linköping University. The division conducts research and provides undergraduate and doctoral education in communication technology, statistical signal processing, network theory, and decentralized machine learning. Read more about us here: https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/isy/ks (https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/isy/ks).

For more information about working at ISY, visit: https://liu.se/en/article/open-positions-at-isy (https://liu.se/en/article/open-positions-at-isy). You will become an important part of a dynamic and ambitious research team with collaborations between Linköping University (Assistant Professor Khac-Hoang Ngo), Chalmers University of Technology (Professor Alexandre Graell i Amat), and Recorded Future (Dr. Johan Östman). The group currently consists of five PhD students and two postdocs.

Research visits to Chalmers and Recorded Future will take place during the PhD period. The collaboration with Recorded Future provides insight into real-world applications in cybersecurity, while the PhD education has a clear focus on high-quality scientific research and publication.

According to Vinnova's report on strategic technologies in Sweden, Linköping University is ranked number 43 globally in AI research and number 12 in Europe, and is identified as leading in Sweden in the field. Additionally, Linköping has been named "Student City of the Year" in Sweden three times.

About the employment

Upon commencement of employment, you will be admitted to the doctoral education program. Read more about the respective faculty's doctoral education https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning (https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning).

The employment is fixed-term for normally four years full-time. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the extent of teaching and departmental duties. Under special circumstances, further extension may occur. You are initially employed for one year, and thereafter the employment is renewed for up to two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions about working as a PhD student at ISY.

Start date by agreement, but no later than December 23, 2026.

A security clearance may be conducted before a decision on employment is made.

Salary and benefits

The PhD student salary is regulated based on a locally agreed salary scale. The starting salary is approximately 36,400 SEK per month. The employment also includes various employee benefits, including pension. Read more about benefits for employees https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner).

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande).

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must be received by Linköping University no later than June 19, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is natural to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with equal conditions (https://liu.se/artikel/lika-villkor/).

We look forward to receiving your application!

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